Loose-leaf ring binder



N. L. HUFFAKER Sept. 28, 1954 LOOSE-LEAF RING BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1952 Efi FE TIZET Norman L. Huffaker Sept. 28, 1954 N- L. HUFFAKER 2,690,182

LoosE-LEAF RING BINDER Filed April 10, 1952 2 Shee s-Shee 2 ITZI ETYZET Nbrman L I Huffakez" Patented Sept. 28, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE LOOSE-LEAF RING BINDER.

Norman L. Huflraker, Richmond, Va. Application April 10, 1952, Serial No. 281,578

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to loose leaf binders, and more particularly to sheet holding elements for such binders wherein there is incorporated latching means for securely retaining perforated loose sheets within the binder.

More specifically, this invention pertains to a relatively thin, foldable and fiat-opening binder having generally flexible, integral cover and hinge portions, wherein the binding element is carried by one of the cover members and serves further to define and reenforce the hinge portion between the covers in the closed position of the binder, and wherein the latching action of the members associated with the binding element is enhanced by the cooperation of the cover portions therewith.

In the past, many attempts have been made to provide a simple fold-over type of binder, susceptible of economical manufacture, which would permit ready insertion and removal of sheets as well as provide for the fixed retention of the sheets therein. However, these attempts have in the main been unsuccessful in arriving at an inexpensive assembly which would securely retain the sheets in position in the absence of complicated latching members usually involving spring-urged elements. Heretofore, to accommodate a relatively large number of perforated loose sheets in a thin type of binder, it has been necessary to embody a binding post element of so substantial a nature and conformation as to preclude its successful incorporation in a light, inexpensive binder.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a loose leaf binder of simple construction which permits economical manufacture.

It is another object of the invention to provide a loose leaf binder of the relatively thin, foldable and fiat-opening type having generally flexible and integral cover and hinge portions in association with a more rigid binding element which serves both to receive and retain the sheets for facile manipulation, and also to define the hinge outline and reenforce the hinge portion between the covers in the closed position of the binder.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a loose leaf binder of the type described wherein there is incorporated readily operable 2 latching means for permitting the introduction and withdrawal of perforated sheets to the binding element and for securely retaining such sheets within the binder.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a loose leaf binder of the character noted wherein the action of the latching members associated with the binding element is augmented by the cooperation of the cover portions with the binding structure both during closing movement and during closed condition of the binder.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a binding element embodying a structure of the character described, wherein both the binding element and its cooperating latching members are provided with edge portions for disposing the binding margins of the sheets above the plane of the cover members for ready manipulation of the sheets in the open position of the binder to prevent catching of the sheets against parts of the binding element and associated latching members, and for properly positioning the sheets relative to the binding element in the closed position of the binder.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in connection with the annexed sheet of drawings, which, by way of preferred example only, illustrates fully one specific embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a loose leaf binder constructed in accordance with my invention, with the cover members broken away terminally and with the latching members shown in both open and closed positions;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line 11-11 of Figure l and shows the latching member in open position;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figure l and shows the latching member in closed position;

Figure 4 is a top view of a modified form of binding post and latch structure in accordance with this invention;

Figure 5 is a top view of a further modified form of binding post and latch structure in accordance with this invention;

Figure 6 is a top view of a still further modified form of binding post and latch structure;

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a top View of another and further modification; and

Figure 9 is a top plan view of another and still further modification.

As shown in the drawings:

In accordance with the teachings of this invention, there is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 a loose leaf binder comprising complemental cover portions I and I joined by an integral hinge portion 2, the cover and hinge portions being separated by scored lines of folds 3 therebetween to provide a bounding area of substantially the height of the binding element t, whereby the cover members I and l are coextensive in the folded condition of the binder. The cover and hinge portions of the binder are preferably formed of a light, flexible material such as paperboard, leather, fabric, plastic sheet, or the like.

The binding element generally indicated at 4 for securing sheets within the assembly comprises a fiat base plate of either a light metal or plastic which may be suitably secured to one cover of the binder internally thereof by an appropriate adhesive, by pockets formed in the cover, or by conventional securing means such as rivets 6. If both the cover and binding element are of plastic composition, then they may be conventionally bonded together by heat and pressure.

Along a longitudinal edge of the base plate 5 there is formed an arcuate marginal portion 1, from the forward extremity of which there are struck the longitudinally spaced reversely arcuate and laterally disposed binding prongs 8, the arcuity of the marginal portion 2 and the prongs 3 at their line of intersection being substantially less than circular. The free end of each prong terminates above the base plate 55 substantially diametrically opposite to the point where the secured end of the prong is formed on the arcuate marginal portion, and as may be seen from a consideration of the plan views of Figures 1 and 4, the plane of the prong is substantially perpendicular to that of the base plate. Complementally spaced on the other longitudinal edge of the base plate 5 in lateral alignment with the prongs 3 are pivotally mounted latch members 9 which, like the other parts of the binding element, may be formed from a light metal or plastic, or from a suitably configured length of wire, as shown in Figure 6.

The binding prongs are illustrated as being relatively flat and thin and, depending upon the characteristics of the materialemployed, may be compressively flexible. They are also preferably oval in cross-section to reduce Wear upon the perforations of the sheets held thereby. The latch members are illustrated as being substantially rectangular and generally of a width greater than the binding prongs, one end of each latching member being provided with reversely directed pin members ill for introduction to a hinge element or knuckle H formed on the base plate or on an extension l2 thereof. The other and unsecured end of the latching member is recessed as at 13 to an extent sufficient to embrace the free extremity of the binding prong. This recess may be of a size to enclose loosely the free ex.- tremity of the prong, or the tolerance between the two may be so slight as to provide a frictional engagement thereof. When the recessed end of the latching member is loosely associated with the prong, the weight or the sheets secured within the binder or the weight of the cover alone is sufiicient to retain the latch in closed condition.

Further, the unsecured and recessed end of the latching member 9 is provided with an upwardly inclined face i i of a height and of an inclination generally complemental to the oppositely disposed arcuate marginal portion 1 of the base plate 5 to form a substantially flattened oval or elliptical closed loop in the latched position as shown in Figure 3. A consideration of this figure shows that the prong 8 which forms the upper half of the oval loop is shaped an are which has a center of curvature lying adjacent the backing plate 5, thereby making "1e flattened loop approximately twice as wide as it is high. This provides a minimum height with a maximum storage space for paper sheets. As shown in Figure 2, in the open position of the binding element, the latching member 9 serves as a guide for the introduction of sheets to the loop and as a guard to prevent their catching on the base plate or backing plate 55; and, as shown in Figure 3, in closed position the portion i i acts much as a cam face when sheets are shifted to prevent catching or snagging of the edges thereof during left-to-right turning movement of the sheets.

In consequence of the above arrangement, in any open position of the filled binder, it may be abruptly closed without danger of damage to the contents. It is, of course, the primary function of the face portion Hi to prevent the e cape of sheets from the extremities of the prongs when the latching members 9 are positioned in accordance with Figure 3.

Figure 4 illustrates a form of the invention wherein the base plate but is not a continuous one, employing instead individual binding elements to; spaced upon the cover l of the binder and individually secured thereto by rivets 6a. As the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 3, the base plate 5a is provided with an upstanding flange Ea and a sheet holding prong 8a. A further modification shown in Figure 4 comprises the projections i5 on the latching member to. The projections it provide means for grasping the latching member 9a to ease the users operation thereof. As in the case of the modification shown in Figures 1 through 3, the modified latching member 9a is pivotally mounted to the base plate iia by means of hinge members lea pivotally mounted in the overturned flange :1 la so that the notch i3a will be positioned in cooperation with the end of the prong ta and the blocking portions Ma will thereby close off the prong when the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 4.

Figures 5, 6 and '7 illustrate modifications of the invention wherein there are groups of prongs longitudinally spaced in series with respect to the base plate. The constructions shown in these figures provide an arrangement whereby three binding prongs may be closed or blocked off by means of a single hinged latching member.

Figure 5 shows a latching member st provided with a single recess 1322 which cooperates to close off the middle prongof three prongs db. The outer prongs 8b are blocked oif by the outermost edges 16b of the latching member 919. A further modification shown in Figure 5 is that of the hinge pins lOo which, as they are clearly shown in the figure, are directed outwardly from the body of the latching member sh rather than in- 5 wardly as shown in the construction of Figures 1, 4, 6 and 8.

As shown in Figure 5, the base, or backing plate 5b is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 through 3, except that the upstanding flange lb associated therewith is provided with a plurality of prongs 8b cooperating with each latching member 9b, and the provision of outwardly extending hinge IIlb makes the provision of the larger recess between the hinge elements IIb desirable. The rivets 6b provided for attachment of the plate 51) to the notebook cover are identical to those shown in Figures 1 through 3.

Figures 6 and 7 show a modification in which wire is utilized in a latching memebr 90 rather than a solid material as shown in Figures 1 through 5. As may be seen from Figure 7, the wire is formed into an upwardly directed U-shaped channel to provide a recess portion I30. In forming the wire latch member 90 the legs I60 proceed from the hinge members lie at a slight angle to the base plate 50 and away therefrom until they reach a point slightly past the right hand edge of the binder prongs 80. At this point, the wire is bent downwardly toward the plate 5c forming cam surfaces I40 acting substantially as the cam surfaces I4 of Figures 1 through 3. The wire then progresses laterally along the surfaces of the plate So until it reaches a position adjacent the center prong 80 at which point it progresses upwardly away from the plate 50 and slightly toward the pivot hinge I I until it reaches a point slightly higher than the free end of the binder prong 80. It then lies parallel to the plate 50, forming a substantially U-shaped recess I30 which closes off the free end of the center prong Be. In other respects, the structure of Figures 6 and 7 is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 through and the plate 50 is thus secured by rivets 60 to the cover I and is provided with an upstanding flange 'lc carrying groups of prongs 80 for association with each individual latching member 90.

Figure 8 contains a showing of another modification of the invention utilizing a latching member 9d having a loop-closing edge on only one side of the associated prong 8d, thereby dispensing with the recess provided in the other forms of the invention. In other respects, the modification shown in Figure 8 is identical to those above discussed and, as may be seen, the backing plate 501 is provided with the hinge element IId of the type above described. Figure 9 shows still a further modification wherein there isemployed a vertical pivot formed by the rivet 6e so that the latch member 9e may be horizontally shifted out of engagement with the free end of the prong Be. In this modification the rivet be serves both as a pivot and also as means for holding the backing member 5e to the cover I. It also serves to maintain the latching member 9e in tight engagement with the base plate 56, the resiliency of the latching member 9e affording a frictional resistance to movement to prevent accidental separation of the latching member from the prong Be. As in the case of the modification shown in Figures 1 through 6, the backing plate 52 may be provided with the upstanding flange 1e when desired.

In operation, and as shown in Figure 2, the latch member 9 may function as a guide and guard in the introduction of sheets to the binding prongs and, as the sheets are shifted to the left, the sheets are held elevated above the base plate 6 5 by the edge I formed along a line of juncture between the base plate 5 and the binding prong 8. As shown in Figure 3, when sheets are shifted to the right, as in the closing operation of the binder, the inclined face I4 of the latch acts as a cam to guide the edges downwardly and to turn the sheets. As shown in Figure 3, in any open position of the binder, the sheets are spaced clear of the base portion 5 to afford facile manipulation. When the binder is closed, it will be appreciated that the cover tends to urge the prongs downwardly into the recess of the latching memher and cooperates with the binding element to maintain thelatch member in position. At the same time, the base plate and the binding prongs serve to reinforce the hinge portion of the cover. By utilizing an elliptical-shaped loop, it is possible to adapt the binding element to a thin type of binder, and yet the relatively broad arc of the prongs permits the accommodating of a substantially large number of sheets if necessary without a sacrifice in function.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that this invention affords an economical, fiat-opening, thin type of binder possessing many of the features and advantages of more expensive and complicated constructions, and yet provides a sturdy binding element and latch structure which can accommodate a relatively large number of sheets when desired. Sheets may be readily inserted and removed or securely held in the binder and yet be freely handled without danger of catching or snagging of their edges with consequent damage to the sheets.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not proposed to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A binding element for a loose leaf binder comprising a base plate for attachment to a loose leaf binder cover, an upwardly inclined marginal portion formed on a first edge of said base plate, a prong formed on said arcuate marginal portion extending upwardly therefrom and arcuately across said base plate and terminating thereabove at a point between said first edge and a second, opposite edge of said base plate, and a latch member pivotally secured to the second edge of said base plate for separable rigid blocking association with the extremity of said arcuate prong, said latch member thereby effectively closing the space between the extremity of said prong and said base plate.

2. A binding element for a loose leaf binder comprising a fiat base plate for attachment to a loose leaf binder cover, an arcuate marginal portion formed on one edge of said base plate, an arcuate prong formed on said base plate and in overlying relation thereto and terminating thereabove at a point between said one edge and a second, opposite, edge of said base plate, and a latch member pivotally secured to the second edge of said base plate for cooperation with the terminal edge of said arcuate prong, an inclined forward face formed on said latch member oppositely and complementally disposed to said arcuate portion and of an extent to rigidly close off the gap between the terminal edge of said prong and said plate and forming therewith a substantially elliptical closed sheet-retaining loop.

3. A binding element for a loose leaf binder comprising a rigid base plate for attachment to a loose leaf binder cover, said base plate having a first marginal edge, a prong rigidly secured to said first marginal edge and extending upwardly therefrom and arcuately across said base plate and terminating above and adjacent to said base plate at a point between said first marginal edge and a second opposite edge of said base plate, a latch member pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to the second edge of said base plate, and a blocking surface on the opposite end of said latch member for pivotal movement into contact with said base adjacent the terminal end of said prong for closing the gap between the terminal 15 end of said prong and said base plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Jandus et a1 Mar. 25, 1890 Swift Nov. 11, 1913 Plushkell Aug. 9, 1927 Catini Mar. 7, 1939 Phillips Jan. 23, 1945 Emmer Feb. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany 1931 France 1932 France 1936 

